Label removal from phonograph record disks

Abstract

Method and apparatus for removing labels from an article such as a phonograph record, consisting of subjecting the article and label to the action of a solvent in a vapor-phase mode, and a liquid phase mode, passing the article through a drying space and subjecting the article to a blast of compressed air to blow off the label.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for removing labels from phonograph record disks, comprising: (a) a housing,   (b) a conveyor extending horizontally through the housing to carry the disks therethrough,   (c) means for introducing an adhesive solvent into the housing so that it forms a pool in the bottom of the housing,   (d) heating means contacting the solvent so that it forms a vapor that passes upwardly around the disks as they move through the housing,   (e) means for condensing the vapor above the conveyor so that the condensate falls downwardly around the disks into the pool,   (f) a drying room forming part of the housing and located downstream of the pool so that the conveyor carries the disks through the drying room after treatment with the solvent, and   (g) air nozzles located in the drying room directed toward the disks.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the condensing means comprises an upper wall overlying the conveyor and a cooling coil located adjacent the upper wall to maintain it at condensing temperature. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the conveyor consists of two spaced, parallel horizontal screws and a horizontal trough located below and intermediate the screws, the screws being driven to move the disks in the horizontal direction in a vertical condition. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the cooling coil is operatively connected to a refrigeration unit, wherein the heating means consists of a heat exchange coil located in the lower portion of the housing and connected to a heating unit, and wherein the trough is shaped with an upwardly-directed curved surface having a cross-sectional shape which is a segment of a circle having approximately the same diameter as a disk. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a feeder is provided to introduce the disks seriatim to the up-stream end of the conveyor. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the drying room is provided with a hopper to receive labels removed by the action of the air nozzles. 
     
     
       7. Process for removing labels from phonograph record disks, comprising the steps of: (a) passing the disks through an enclosed space,   (b) heating a pool of adhesive solvent in the space to cause vapor to pass over the disks,   (c) condensing the vapor at the upper part of the space so that the condensate falls downwardly around the disks into the pool,   (d) passing the disks through a drying space, and   (e) subjecting the disks to a blast of compressed air to blow off the labels.   
     
     
       8. Process as recited in claim 7, wherein the solvent is alcohol, and the disks are passed through the spaces in separated, vertical condition. 
     
     
       9. Process as recited in claim 7, wherein the disks are subjected to a blast of compressed air within the drying space.